Here and There Blog

It's Saturday somewhere between 4 and 5 pm. To me, it's a cold, wet day and not one I want to be outside in. To the people who live here, it's a day off from school and work and this is life. The children don't mind the rain as they play outside their home. Waiting for a ride. If you don't get the bus, hitchhiking is the other transportation method  There's always fresh pork if you're hungry It's raining. I can't decide if all the laundry is optimism or if everyone is used to wet clothes?  Ah, in case you missed the first opportunity, more fresh pork!

This area of Ecuador is beautiful. The drive, while half the time you think you're about to be head crashed by the on-coming cars swerving around blind curves to pass trucks, the other time you stare at the mountains and jungle for their beauty. Starting at 9,000 feet the road takes a steep elevation incline before you begin the two hour drive to get back to sea level. At times the fog is so dense that you can't see the car in front of you. This is when drivers decide to pass on the blind corners without the headlights on.  More fog as we go from mountain top to the jungle climate.  And near the lower part of the drive all the downhill rain and run-off leads to the river. This was the reverse drive, Riobamba to Guayaquil. I recommend doing this drive in daylight. The road is sometimes washed out, rarely has legitimate passing lanes and everyone is passing into oncoming traffic anyway.

Both Riobamba and Guano have clown heads on top of most of the trashcans. I've seen a few variations but clown is the most popular. Gaudi inspired tilework in the park. I'm not sure if he's falling down drunk or playing. And a place to sit if needed.

An old stone sculpture up on the hill The entrance into Guano. The main street has several shops featuring hand woven rugs and you can watch the women as they weave the rugs on the looms.  Another church, still in use Hey! Guano has it's own version of Zorb balls although you stay dry and propel yourself in the water.

The church of Franciscana de las Asuncion and Monastery date from 1550 - 1560. Located in Guano they are part of the tourism in the city, mainly for the mummy of one of the Franciscan monks. Sadly, the day I was there the museum was closed and it was no mummy for me. The ruins still contain a wall fresco, though faded and a few statues.  

In contrast to the nice, safe looking Teleferico in Quito, the one in Guano seemed dubious and on my own, I would have never entered. But half the group wanted to go up and we had nothing better to do, so we climbed on in.  The car even creaks. Notice the laundry drying out behind the car.  And off it goes! Me at the entrance. Walking on gravel to what looked like a partially abandoned building. I'm smiling because we are off that ride!

A few more things around the peak - you can go on a horse ride, accompanied by a llama. Also around are biking trails. I think you can do the ride as a one-way and then walk back down since I saw switchbacks that seemed to go the length of the mountain.  There's even a small church at the peak.  More views The clouds were moving in/out and higher/lower in my short visit. I think the climate changes quickly up here. I was okay with a long sleeved shirt and a windbreaker but it can get cold and was a bit windy. This is from the inside of the cable car descending back down. We went through a cloud that obscured most of the city below.

El Teleferiqo is an aerial cable car that takes you from a base of 2,950 meters to 4,100 meter way above the city and at times above the clouds. From the main hotels this is only a 15-20 minute taxi ride ($4-$5 one-way) and $8.50 to take the trip. Forgetting for a moment that I was at altitude, I stormed up the steps at my usual pace only to realize 2/3 of the way up, that this wasn't a good idea. No use passing out before I even get to buy my ticket! One up you do have great views and if the day was sunny I could have seen all the volcano's.  Even so, it was a different landscape in each direction. The peak is near the Ruco Pinchincha Volcano (not any of these photos) and in sight are Volcano's but since there was a no "you are here" mountain locator, I haven't a clue to my surroundings.  From city, to arid, almost desert and then green farmlands.  And at the very top, a splash of color!

The Rotunda - San Martin and Bolivar. This monkey sculpture is in the middle of a road at the entrance to a tunnel. With zoom it looks more like a picture.  Same sculpture, backside, from the top of the hill.  The old clock  One of the many ships cruising the river

  This is the view at the bottom. You are looking up at Barrio Los Penas, an old neighborhood in Guayaquil. Hundreds of stairs are between you and the lighthouse at the top but you don't know that yet because you never learned how to count that high in Spanish. So you start up the stairs, thinking that it's only 150 steps. Along the street the houses have "before" photos, showing how run down the place had been and the restoration today. At the very top, something close to 500 steps later (150, 500, I got the hundred and the five part right. Just mis-placed a zero) you have the best view in Guayaquil! I suggest stopping half-way up for water and a rest to take in the river view.  Looking back down at the street.

Yay! I finally got to Parque Seminario also known as the Iguana Park in downtown Guayaquil. At first I was too busy looking around to realize that at my feet were dozens of iguanas. Families come here so the children can feed the iguanas and chase them. When an iguana has had enough, it runs up a tree or goes back inside the small fenced area. These two below were not in the mood for tourists.    This one was looking for food. Lettuce seemed to be the item of the day.    Maybe ready to deal with people again. I don't know why they don't run into the road. Must be Iguana evolution/Darwinism at work.

Driving 2 hours with no 7-Eleven's, Drive-thrus, or easy stops makes way for many roadside stands. Thirsty? Pull over in the dirt and buy some water. This stand had it all, water, snacks, a Monigote hiding over there on the left. Friendly sales girl, and Cesar who decided that he needed water and pulled over suddenly to provide this photo op!